Ryan Mallett quickly moves into No. 2 job in Houston

But he’s already climbing the depth chart, and will be their backup to starter Ryan Fitzpatrick this weekend.

Granted, he’s only passed a rookie (Tom Savage) in his short time in Houston, but his familiarity with the scheme being put in by head coach Bill O’Brien and quarterbacks coach George Godsey gave him a leg up anyway.

“Just the transition of Ryan coming in to this offense, certainly we do things, some things a little bit differently than what they do, based on our personnel. . . . But the foundation of it is very similar, so he’s been able to pick [it] right up.”

While Fitzpatrick has shown himself to be a completely capable backup at times, there’s little reason to believe Mallett won’t get a chance to move up a chair at some point this season.

And if/when he does, the Texans might see if they have a quarterback they can win with, or whether they finally have to address it this offseason.

I was a Mallet fan when he came out of college, even though he was dinged for off the field issues. While he hasn’t had a chance to prove it since he sat behind Brady since day one, he’s been learning from the best and the Patriots system is very capable of taking care of those off the field concerns. I hope he does great!

Even if he did pass Tom Savage I am not sure he has even earned the right to do that.

bubbybrister/shovelpass says:Sep 4, 2014 9:43 AM

Only Belichek can turn a 3rd rounder into a 7th rounder after extensive coaching and training…

htown1035 says:Sep 4, 2014 9:47 AM

I don’t care about all the “He didn’t do anything in New England” talk. Belichick got rid of him because he has a cheap alternative in Garoppolo. O’Brien sees the potential he has and I guarantee he takes over the starting job by week 4.

wryly1 says:Sep 4, 2014 10:14 AM

The inescapable football reality is that after 3 years of development with Belichek and Brady, this former RD3 pick was only worth a seventh rounder to the most QB needy team in the league.

dickshotdogs says:Sep 4, 2014 10:20 AM

“Cheap alternative?” No, he was in the final year of his rookie deal and wasn’t going to sign a new deal with NE. And furthermore, Garoppolo outplayed him.

djshnooks says:Sep 4, 2014 10:47 AM

A 1st round pick isn’t a cheap alternative.

It’s a first round pick you didn’t have to use if you got it right with Mallett to begin with.

TheDPR says:Sep 4, 2014 11:00 AM

I don’t think they have to address QB again. They like what they have developing in Savage and unless he face plants badly he should be ready in 2015 or 16. Mallett can hold serve at QB until then while they rebuild around them.

Garoppalo was a second round pick.(not a first) He was an avaialable backup for a reasonable sum for 3 years. He would be gone next year and the Patriots would get nothing for him (maybe a compensatory pick two years out)
Now they have a low cost option that has looked much bettre then Mallett, another roster position that’s available, and another draft pick next year. I’d say Bill got a pretty good deal, and certainly the best available at this time.

tigerlilac says:Sep 4, 2014 11:07 AM

It is comical to watch fans trip allover themselves trying to rationalize why Bill Belichick is not great at his job. He only has the best record in all of the major professional sports over the last 15 years. If he stays in his position under the “Brady Principle”, until he sucks, he’ll be coaching on his death bed.

When Ryan Mallett gets his chance to start for the Texans and if he is successful as their starter it will be interesting to hear the excuses as to why he is succeeding at the position when he sucked as a Patriot. I’ve heard some Boston beat writers already positioning themselves in case he does well by saying he might do well on another team and scheme, but just didn’t fit the Pats style of Off., I thought Billy Obrien ran pretty much the same Offence in Houston as they ran while in Foxboro, as he did at Penn State. I’m rooting for Mallett.